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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Jonny D, We have everything Dylan has ever done, me I prefer his older stuff, hubby, well Dylan could grumble in a paper bag and he would love it! I want to learn "to Make You Feel My Love" on piano, but little confidence just now, but if I could find the music I would attempt it. How did Lay Lady Lay, go? You sound like you improvise and just tackle the music, I envy that approach. Do you have a favorite? Sad eyed Lady of the Lowlands, is another I would love to play. Well, there are lots really, but studying theory just now.

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Alfreds All In One Level 1 graduate and various other tutor sourcesAlfreds Masterworks Classics Level 1-2Fundamental KeysAdult returner

Hi Shey! "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I went through a search to find it. Most versions suitable for us beginners are written in the key of C which simplifies playing it, but unless you're a tenor or soprano, you'll tend to screech a bit on the high parts. Judy Garland, in the movie, sang it in Ab, if I remember correctly! That's a bit hard to play if you're still in C,G, or F keys with early piano playing skills. Most of the easier versions include the melody in the right hand part so for just piano, the easy versions are fine!

The easiest version is actually included in the Self Teaching version of Alfred's Adult Book 1 and includes a few other nice pieces like "Laura", "Over The Rainbow" and "At Last".

I now have all three versions of Alfred's Adult Book 1. One can never have too many music books! The nicest version is in Dan Coates' "Top 50 Christmas Hits". It's a little harder than the Alfred's version, but melodically much nicer!

Thanks so much for the information, time to start those Christmas songs! Can't get at the Glee link on my Kindle Fire HD in uk, will have to see later on laptop, but thank you, I am looking forward to seeing it.

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Alfreds All In One Level 1 graduate and various other tutor sourcesAlfreds Masterworks Classics Level 1-2Fundamental KeysAdult returner

Hi Tangleweeds, I dare not get "another" method book, I have so much to be getting on with, I am even looking at Christmas songs! Running before I can walk!!! I picked up from other posts that you knit and crochet, am I right? I too can knit, but don't like the crochet patterns here in uk, they look dated. I can't crochet anyway lol.

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Alfreds All In One Level 1 graduate and various other tutor sourcesAlfreds Masterworks Classics Level 1-2Fundamental KeysAdult returner

Scorpio, will you be leaving the book 1 thread? I am working on Entertainer and Amazing Grace, well really only just starting those pieces. I will be reviewing the book 1 when I finish, and seeing where other people have gone, don't know whether to go to book 2 or not. Any advice? How long did it take you to finish book 1, and can you play other things? What are your comments? Well done anyway on completion of book 1.

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Alfreds All In One Level 1 graduate and various other tutor sourcesAlfreds Masterworks Classics Level 1-2Fundamental KeysAdult returner

Hi Shey. One of the things about this journey is that my path is constantly changing. I had planned to get a teacher for this September, but due to schedule conflicts I will have to push it off until January. So in the meantime I plan to go ahead with Book 2.

I feel pretty good about Book 1. Going back and listening to my recordings, they seem downright dreadful. But some of that was inexperience and my recording process. I am sure I could knock out "Jingle Bells" without a problem now. I don't want to judge myself to anyone else, but feel I am progressing at a good pace. I started in January, so it took me eight months. But during that time I was slowed down by several family issues (caring for two grandparents in their 90s). My goal is to improve everyday. And I have to say that I feel very good about that.

So now I do have to think about the future. In two weeks I will have more time to devote to this expedition. Right now my plan is to attack Book 2 differently than Book 1. I worked several pieces at a time in Book 1. I think I am going to do only one at a time with this new book. I do plan to work on supplemental material as well. I want to start studying different pieces and expand my abilities to the best that I can without a teacher. Specifically I am not sure. I will probably work on some holiday music, some Masterwork Classics material, and whatever else I may feel I want to try. But the big thing here is to push myself as far as I can, while still having fun and without getting frustrated.

I was good, it was the only sheet music I bought last month... perhaps having gained some temporary wisdom by the neee to pack up and move my (ever growing) sheet music collection. Sheet music has been one of my biggest vices...

...anong with yarn

Quote:

I picked up from other posts that you knit and crochet, am I right? I too can knit, but don't like the crochet patterns here in uk, they look dated. I can't crochet anyway lol.

I'm currently working on a pair of socks, but not crocheting so much this summer. I normally like to do icky-picky teeny-tiny lacey stuff in extra fine thread (both in knit and crochet) but with all the moving stress, simple stockinette socks have been more my speed.

If you're on Ravelry, my username over there is "tangleweeds" also, just the same as here.

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Oops... extremely distracted by mandolins at the moment... brb

I want to learn "to Make You Feel My Love" on piano, but little confidence just now, but if I could find the music I would attempt it. How did Lay Lady Lay, go? You sound like you improvise and just tackle the music, I envy that approach. Do you have a favorite?

Maybe you can find some sheet music for Make You Feel My Love.

Regarding Lay, Lady, Lay, with the left hand I was just playing the chords (A, C#m, G, Bm -- E, F#m, A), and then with the right hand I was attempting the melody - fairly basic really. I suppose it could have sounded better.

I used to play quite a few dylan songs on the guitar. Idiot Wind was one of my favorites although it might not be the best song to play on the piano.

Hi all,I started Alfred's Adult All-in-one level 1 a few months ago and I'm up to around Brahms Lullaby. Self-teaching for now. It sounds like many of you are moving on the Book 2 right now, hope there are some others still here to carry on the level 1 torch!

I've recently gone back to the Hanon's exercises (skipped 'em the first time through)-- its nice to have some brain-dead things to do on those days I'm tired or just not playing well for whatever reason. What do others think of the "left fingers HIGH!" instruction in the book. I've been ignoring it so far.AJ

"LIFT FINGERS HIGH" is for the Hanon exercises and not in for playing in general. The importance of the Hanon exercises in the Alfred book is to develop finger strength and independence. For most of Book 1, the importance of finger independence does not seem critical. But as I am finding out, the more varied stuff I attempt to play the more important it becomes to be able to control each finger independently (especially finger 4). Bottom line, I would use the instructions as written.

I've recently gone back to the Hanon's exercises (skipped 'em the first time through)-- its nice to have some brain-dead things to do on those days I'm tired or just not playing well for whatever reason. What do others think of the "left fingers HIGH!" instruction in the book. I've been ignoring it so far.AJ

ajames, fingers only need to go down for playing and never high as suggested by Hanon and this has been the cause of too many hand injuries. Lifting all fingers is not harmful but lifting one while other fingers are going down to the keyboard will definitely hurt your hands in the long run. Basically, you never want to have your flexor and extensor tendons work in opposite directions.

Scorpio, just listened to Amazing Grace again, lovely playing. It's next for me, I hope to get it to sound as good as yours. I am studying theory too so taking a long time in book 1, but nearly there. After revision I don't whether to continue with book 2 or try something else. I see you have taken it up, how is it so far? Or you may not look here now you have graduated.

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Alfreds All In One Level 1 graduate and various other tutor sourcesAlfreds Masterworks Classics Level 1-2Fundamental KeysAdult returner

I will do Book 2 slower than Book 1. I will always be working on an Alfred Book 2 piece, but will venture out into supplemental/additional material. I will be back into full swing next week! By then I will have a better idea how I plan to tackle the next phase.

Welcome Barry1963! Enjoy every minute of it. Be patient, practice everyday, get your rest (sleep is important), and you will find that you will make great progress. I highly recommend that you record yourself, even if you don't share it. Listening, without playing, is a great way to discover areas that need to be addressed. Of course, getting a teacher is always a good idea.

Welcome Barry1963! Enjoy every minute of it. Be patient, practice everyday, get your rest (sleep is important), and you will find that you will make great progress. I highly recommend that you record yourself, even if you don't share it. Listening, without playing, is a great way to discover areas that need to be addressed. Of course, getting a teacher is always a good idea.

Very nicely played Scorpio, you have a nice smooth touch there. Congratulations on finishing book 1, quite a steep curve going from nothing to the end piece so well done. Book 2 has a few interesting and challenging pieces but by applying the practice skills and technique from book 1 should be no problem to you. I should say though I am still on a piece in this book - Chopin Etude, Opus 10 No 3 still eludes me. I do hope to record it soon though.

Barry1963

Welcome to the forum and to book 1 in particular. I would second Scorpio's advice.

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I thought I understood endurance sport; then I took up piano XXXVII-8-XXX

I've recently gone back to the Hanon's exercises (skipped 'em the first time through)-- its nice to have some brain-dead things to do on those days I'm tired or just not playing well for whatever reason. What do others think of the "left fingers HIGH!" instruction in the book. I've been ignoring it so far.

Do not lift fingers high, not even in Hanon. Those are outdated instructions from the original edition of Hanon. We understand more now about the biomechanics of playing the piano.

I recently purchased a book (arrives today) just on this topic. I want to be more aware of how the fingers, arms and body coordinate while playing the piano. More importantly, I hope to learn how to reduce tension and strain, and to avoid injury.